I'm really quite worried about the puppy v. cabling issue! Downstairs there's the usual stuff--radio in the kitchen, television etc in the sitting room (though I rarely go in there)--but up here, where I spend most of my time, there are *tons* of cables! Computer, and all its peripherals, and then the television, the broadband TV gadget thing, the DVD player/recorder, the PS2 console... eep!
I've been told that when the puppy first comes she'll prolly want to spend most of her time in one place, so that she can get used to her new surroundings. I've bought her a luxurious crate, and I'm going to keep it in the kitchen. Later, though, I'd like her to come up here with me, so that we can do LJ and television and such together :) Do you have any tips on this?
I'd actually like her to sleep on my bed too, but I've been told that that isn't a good idea with a small puppy, as they can get confused about their place in the hierarchy and become naughty. Any thoughts? I can't bear the though of her crying in the kitchen on her first few nights without her mother and siblings *weeps* I want to do what's right, though.
Re: the law stuff, I've thought about asking Compassion in World Farming (my fave charity) whether there's anything I can do for them on a voluntary basis. There may be other local charities, but that's where my heart lies in the charity field. I *would* like to be able to put what I've learned to some sort of use, as long as I don't actually have to make a living that way any more *g*
Hearing about how you got to where you are now is interesting and inspiring. Many thanks for sharing :) I'm hoping that when I get to Settle (which is where I hope to be, this time next year) I'll be able to find something I can do on a part-time basis (and I'm hoping that will be enough to cover the bills!) I was going to say that ideally it would be something I can do from home, on the computer, but even as I was typing that it occurred to me that it would prolly be a good idea to get out and meet people face-to-face, as these days it's far too easy for me to spend all of my time chatting with peeps I like on the internet, rather than outside the house, and I don't think that's terribly healthy.
How strange, though, to be in this position after doing the same thing for so long! Although it's a bit scary, the range of options and opportunities is really very exciting :)
A tip to keep her from missing her mother so much: Take along a clean old towel and rub her mom down with it. Put the towel in her crate, where it should retain the smell of home while she adjusts to being with you. It might also help to get her a dog-safe stuffed toy and to put a wind-up alarm clock near her crate. The ticking sound supposedly reminds them of their mother's heartbeat.
These will help, but there will be crying. All puppies pine for their families until they make the adjustment. Don't get up in the night to comfort her, though, because you'll be teaching her the bad habit that making a fuss gets her what she wants. She will eventually get tired out and fall asleep. You might need ear plugs and a fan near the bed so that she doesn't keep you awake half the night.
As for chewing on power cords, try to rearrange things so that they're hidden as much as possible. There are a couple of things we found useful for cords that had to be exposed. I don't know if they sell these products in England, but there's some stuff called Bitter Lime Spray, which is made by Four Paws. There may be other manufacturers of it. It's the most bitter-tasting substance on earth and the only thing that stopped Rocket from destroying everything in the house. It's alcohol-based so that it evaporates quickly, so be careful not to spray it on the cord plugs. The same company makes a furniture gel if chewing on the edges of tables or chair legs becomes a problem.
Also, home improvement stores may carry a white plastic conduit for use in offices. The base attaches to the wall, you lay the cords inside it, and then snap the top on. It looks very much like the painted wooden trim in a room, and was designed for neatening up the look of a room. However, it also works to keep cords away from little furry critters. (The cat also had an attraction to power cords as a kitten.)
If there are rooms you need to keep her out of for her own safety but don't wish to shut the door, you can put up baby gates so that you can both still see each other while you're in the forbidden area. Some of the products sold for childproofing a home are very useful with puppies, like cabinet locks if you have one who likes to paw up the doors to lower cupboards.
We once improvised a puppy barrier with a sheet of plywood cut to size that we attached to the door frame with four hook and eye fasteners. This was a cheap, temporary solution for a puppy too small to be left in the fenced yard with an older dog. When she was big enough to go outside, we unscrewed the fasteners and filled in the little holes in the door frame with wood putty.
That you will be home with her will be a huge help in keeping her out of trouble. All our puppies through the years got into the worst mischief when we were at work.
The idea of offering your time to your favorite charity sounds wonderful! I hope it all works out so that you can use the best of your skills in a way that feeds your soul and helps cover the bills.
Thanks so much for all the wonderful puppy-proofing, and puppy-caring, advice! I appreciate it very much ♥ There's a really good pet shop just a short distance from here that focusses on dogs, so I'll go on Friday and see whether I can find the Bitter Lime Spray, or an equivalent.
The breeder is a really good one, and she's already set aside for me some pieces of bedding that the puppies and their mother have been using, so I'll be able to bring that home to try to settle the puppy in.
I don't look forward to the crying during those first few nights, but what you say about not getting up is what I've been told elsewhere, so I'll have to go with that, I think. The tip about the clock is great, thanks :) I'd read that somewhere but wasn't sure whether it was an old wive's tale! I'll dig one out.
I'm really quite worried about the puppy v. cabling issue! Downstairs there's the usual stuff--radio in the kitchen, television etc in the sitting room (though I rarely go in there)--but up here, where I spend most of my time, there are *tons* of cables! Computer, and all its peripherals, and then the television, the broadband TV gadget thing, the DVD player/recorder, the PS2 console... eep!
I've been told that when the puppy first comes she'll prolly want to spend most of her time in one place, so that she can get used to her new surroundings. I've bought her a luxurious crate, and I'm going to keep it in the kitchen. Later, though, I'd like her to come up here with me, so that we can do LJ and television and such together :) Do you have any tips on this?
I'd actually like her to sleep on my bed too, but I've been told that that isn't a good idea with a small puppy, as they can get confused about their place in the hierarchy and become naughty. Any thoughts? I can't bear the though of her crying in the kitchen on her first few nights without her mother and siblings *weeps* I want to do what's right, though.
Re: the law stuff, I've thought about asking Compassion in World Farming (my fave charity) whether there's anything I can do for them on a voluntary basis. There may be other local charities, but that's where my heart lies in the charity field. I *would* like to be able to put what I've learned to some sort of use, as long as I don't actually have to make a living that way any more *g*
Hearing about how you got to where you are now is interesting and inspiring. Many thanks for sharing :) I'm hoping that when I get to Settle (which is where I hope to be, this time next year) I'll be able to find something I can do on a part-time basis (and I'm hoping that will be enough to cover the bills!) I was going to say that ideally it would be something I can do from home, on the computer, but even as I was typing that it occurred to me that it would prolly be a good idea to get out and meet people face-to-face, as these days it's far too easy for me to spend all of my time chatting with peeps I like on the internet, rather than outside the house, and I don't think that's terribly healthy.
How strange, though, to be in this position after doing the same thing for so long! Although it's a bit scary, the range of options and opportunities is really very exciting :)
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These will help, but there will be crying. All puppies pine for their families until they make the adjustment. Don't get up in the night to comfort her, though, because you'll be teaching her the bad habit that making a fuss gets her what she wants. She will eventually get tired out and fall asleep. You might need ear plugs and a fan near the bed so that she doesn't keep you awake half the night.
As for chewing on power cords, try to rearrange things so that they're hidden as much as possible. There are a couple of things we found useful for cords that had to be exposed. I don't know if they sell these products in England, but there's some stuff called Bitter Lime Spray, which is made by Four Paws. There may be other manufacturers of it. It's the most bitter-tasting substance on earth and the only thing that stopped Rocket from destroying everything in the house. It's alcohol-based so that it evaporates quickly, so be careful not to spray it on the cord plugs. The same company makes a furniture gel if chewing on the edges of tables or chair legs becomes a problem.
Also, home improvement stores may carry a white plastic conduit for use in offices. The base attaches to the wall, you lay the cords inside it, and then snap the top on. It looks very much like the painted wooden trim in a room, and was designed for neatening up the look of a room. However, it also works to keep cords away from little furry critters. (The cat also had an attraction to power cords as a kitten.)
If there are rooms you need to keep her out of for her own safety but don't wish to shut the door, you can put up baby gates so that you can both still see each other while you're in the forbidden area. Some of the products sold for childproofing a home are very useful with puppies, like cabinet locks if you have one who likes to paw up the doors to lower cupboards.
We once improvised a puppy barrier with a sheet of plywood cut to size that we attached to the door frame with four hook and eye fasteners. This was a cheap, temporary solution for a puppy too small to be left in the fenced yard with an older dog. When she was big enough to go outside, we unscrewed the fasteners and filled in the little holes in the door frame with wood putty.
That you will be home with her will be a huge help in keeping her out of trouble. All our puppies through the years got into the worst mischief when we were at work.
The idea of offering your time to your favorite charity sounds wonderful! I hope it all works out so that you can use the best of your skills in a way that feeds your soul and helps cover the bills.
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The breeder is a really good one, and she's already set aside for me some pieces of bedding that the puppies and their mother have been using, so I'll be able to bring that home to try to settle the puppy in.
I don't look forward to the crying during those first few nights, but what you say about not getting up is what I've been told elsewhere, so I'll have to go with that, I think. The tip about the clock is great, thanks :) I'd read that somewhere but wasn't sure whether it was an old wive's tale! I'll dig one out.
Many thanks again :)
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